Zinke Signs Secretarial Orders to Increase Recreational Opportunities on Public Lands and Waters

Establishes Position of Senior National Advisor for Recreation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today signed two secretarial orders continuing his efforts to prioritize the Department of Interior’s recreation mission and increase access to public lands.

Secretarial Order 3366 directs certain Interior bureaus to create and deliver plans to the Department within 90 days that focus on developing or expanding recreational opportunities on public lands and waterways. This order also directs bureau heads to designate one full-time employee charged to oversee recreational opportunities.

WE HAVE GONE TOO FAR WITH CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS AND EXCESSIVE PROTECTION

Let's stop the silliness!

The decades of unchecked radical environmentalism have left us with a country bound-up in red tape, and restricted from common sense management. It is silly what we have allowed to happen to ourselves. It's time to Stop the Silliness!

With Memorial Day weekend upon us and the season for more outings on public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Western Nevada Agency, would like to remind the community to be aware of the increased chance of wildfire due to drying conditions and increased fuels from the wet spring.

Jan. 19: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which honors the legacy of the civil rights leader and encourages Americans to participate in the MLK Day of ServiceFeb. 16: Presidents Day, honoring our nation’s Presidents with particular attention towards commemorating President Washington and President Lincoln.June 13: National Get Outdoors Day, a day when federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and the recreation industry encourages healthy, outdoor activities.Sept. 26: National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort in support of public landsNov. 11: Veteran’s Day, commemorates the end of World War I and pays tribute to all military heroes past and present.

The last fee-free period for 2014 is Nov. 8-11 in honor of Veteran’s Day.

(1) Closure of Long Hollow Road access point in GMU 32 -- Klondyke area

Due to a change in private land ownership in the area, there is no longer public access to State Trust lands or Forest Service lands through the Long Hollow Road access point (near Klondyke) in Game Management Unit 32.

(2) Temporary road and recreation site closures in Chiricahua Mountains (GMU 29) due to storm damage

Due to damage from recent storms, the Coronado National Forest has temporarily closed some roads and recreation sites for public safety reasons in the Chiricahua Mountains in Game Management Unit 29. Below is a news release that was issued on Sept. 26 by the Coronado National Forest:

TUCSON, AZ (September 26, 2014) -- Some roads and recreation sites located on the Douglas Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest are being temporarily closed due to damage related to recent storms in the area. The affected areas lie within the Chiricahua mountain range.

The following recreation sites are temporarily closed to human entry:

Idlewilde CampgroundStewart CampgroundSunny Flat CampgroundJohn Hands Day Use AreaHerb Martyr Day Use AreaNational Forest System Road 42 from Pinery Administrative Site to Paradise is open to vehicular traffic. Motorists are advised to use caution and observe signs posted for safety purposes.

National Forest System Road 42 from the Cave Creek Visitor Center to the closure gate located approximately ½ mile northwest of the Southwestern Research Station, is closed to vehicular traffic, open to pedestrians and bicyclists.

The following are temporarily closed:

National Forest System Roads 42A (Herb Martyr Road) and 42E (South Fork Road).National Forest System Roads 314 and 685.National Forest System Roads 74E, 628, 4243, 4244, 4245, 4246, 4248, and 7181.Some areas will be gated, others posted with signs. Copies of the Special Closure Orders and maps will be posted at closed areas, available at the Douglas Ranger District Office, and posted on the Coronado National Forest website.

The areas are closed to allow for public safety in the Chiricahua Mountains after recent flood events caused significant road damage and erosion concerns. Closures will remain in effect until September 22, 2015, or until rescinded, whichever event occurs first.

Reports indicate that saturated soils and runoff debris are present in many areas of the Chiricahua Mountains. Motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists are urged to use extreme caution while in the area, and are advised that even small amounts of precipitation may result in flash flooding.

Alternative recreation sites on the Douglas Ranger District are currently open.

Rustler Park Campground can be reached by National Forest System Road (NFSR) 42. At 8,500 feet in elevation, 22 campsites can accommodate tents or trailers up to 22 feet in length.

On the west side of the Chiricahuas, Sycamore Campground can be reached on NFSR 41. The campground sits at 6,200 feet in elevation, with eight camp sites which can accommodate tents or trailers up to 16 feet in length.

Also on the west side of the Chiricahuas, Camp Rucker Group Site can be accessed by NFSR 74. At 5,600 feet in elevation, 11 campsites are available that can accommodate tents and trailers up to 16 feet in length.

In the Dragoon Mountains, Cochise Stronghold can be accessed by NFSR 84. At 5,000 feet, 12 camp sites can accommodate trailers up to 22 feet in length.

Drinking water and electricity are not available at the sites.

For further information, please contact the Douglas Ranger District Office at (520) 364-3468 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Read the Forest Service news release on the Coronado National Forest website.

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